Beginner's Box: Berry cobbler

Three ingredients and the ability to stir will yield a dessert you can serve proudly and eat without guilt.

This cross between a cake and a cobbler can be assembled in two to three minutes. No exaggeration.

Dump frozen berries in a 13-by-9-inch pan. Mix dry yellow cake mix with a can of diet 7-Up and pour over the fruit. That’s it. A toddler could do it.

The result? The cake topping is very sweet -- a nice contrast to the tart fruit. If you’ve been dieting or watching your sugar, this will satisfy your
cravings. Plus it’s a delicious way to sneak more fruit into your diet.

According to Trista Todd of Louisville, who submitted the recipe, a
satisfying chunk (one-twelfth) of this dessert is just 3 Weight Watchers
points. No oil, no butter, no eggs.

An alternative method -- even easier -- calls for sprinkling the dry cake mix over the fruit, then pouring the 7-Up over the cake mix. You don’t even dirty a spoon! The result is a dryer, bumpier, less cake-like topping. A warning: This topping doesn’t hold up well, so if you use this method, eat the cake within a day or two.

Mix together cake mix and soda just until combined. Pour over berries. Cover with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove foil, continue baking for 20 minutes until set. Let cool for 10 minutes and serve. Yields 12 servings at 3 Weight Watchers points per serving.

MIXED BERRY DUMP COBBLER

2 1-pound bags frozen fruit (no sugar added)

1 box yellow cake mix

1 can diet Sprite or 7-Up

In a 9-by-13-inch pan, place frozen fruit (do not thaw). Sprinkle with dry cake mix. Pour entire can of soda over cake mix. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Uncover and bake an additional 40 minutes.